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The Nitrous Books #3
Glimpses of a Golden Childhood: The Rebellious Childhood of a Great Enlightened One
In what may be the juiciest, most intimate tapestry of talks ever given by an enlightened master, Osho paints the stories of his delightful, inquisitive and mischievous childhood. He began his explorations into truth with an incredible innocence and courage. With his spirited nature, he questioned every orthodox belief and everyone who blindly espoused any such belief rather than by their own authentic reason. Here are stories about Osho's childhood encounters with death, his adventures in school and his confrontations with the so- called authorities. The book is full of hilarious incidents and stories about sex, smoking, and religion, along with moving and wondrous dialogues with the local enlightened man in his village.
493 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1985
22 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Osho
4,285 books6,791 followersRajneesh (born Chandra Mohan Jain, 11 December 1931 – 19 January 1990) and latter rebranded as Osho was leader of the Rajneesh movement. During his lifetime he was viewed as a controversial new religious movement leader and mystic.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
In the 1960s he traveled throughout India as a public speaker and was a vocal critic of socialism, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hindu religious orthodoxy.
Rajneesh emphasized the importance of meditation, mindfulness, love, celebration, courage, creativity and humor—qualities that he viewed as being suppressed by adherence to static belief systems, religious tradition and socialization.
In advocating a more open attitude to human sexuality he caused controversy in India during the late 1960s and became known as "the sex guru".
In 1970, Rajneesh spent time in Mumbai initiating followers known as "neo-sannyasins". During this period he expanded his spiritual teachings and commented extensively in discourses on the writings of religious traditions, mystics, and philosophers from around the world. In 1974 Rajneesh relocated to Pune, where an ashram was established and a variety of therapies, incorporating methods first developed by the Human Potential Movement, were offered to a growing Western following. By the late 1970s, the tension between the ruling Janata Party government of Morarji Desai and the movement led to a curbing of the ashram's development and a back taxes claim estimated at $5 million.
In 1981, the Rajneesh movement's efforts refocused on activities in the United States and Rajneesh relocated to a facility known as Rajneeshpuram in Wasco County, Oregon. Almost immediately the movement ran into conflict with county residents and the state government, and a succession of legal battles concerning the ashram's construction and continued development curtailed its success.
In 1985, in the wake of a series of serious crimes by his followers, including a mass food poisoning attack with Salmonella bacteria and an aborted assassination plot to murder U.S. Attorney Charles H. Turner, Rajneesh alleged that his personal secretary Ma Anand Sheela and her close supporters had been responsible. He was later deported from the United States in accordance with an Alford plea bargain.[
After his deportation, 21 countries denied him entry. He ultimately returned to India and a revived Pune ashram, where he died in 1990. Rajneesh's ashram, now known as OSHO International Meditation Resort and all associated intellectual property, is managed by the Zurich registered Osho International Foundation (formerly Rajneesh International Foundation). Rajneesh's teachings have had a notable impact on Western New Age thought, and their popularity has increased markedly since his death.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 26, 2019
Believe it or not, right after reading this book, I felt rebellious myself to throw some sharp language to a man.
I've always been kind, polite, considerate, and as a result our "business" got stuck for 4 years.
I am now laughing how crude I just behave to this man, just like Osho did so many times in his childhood.
This man's reaction is one of a child, and it's so funny, I couldn't even imagine it would work like this.
Yes, I just behaved rudely and crudely, as I never did before, but I kept things fair and right, so that he doesn't step on me.
Human relationships are curious, to some people you send positive vibes, love and compassion, and you get slaped all over your face. But when you slap this person yourself (metaphorically) he suddenly listen and considere you. Just like you go from his slave to his master.
I am thankful for this unconventional book, as it revived my pride and I got some precious insights about human psychology I didn't find in any other classic books.
I found some similarities with my own childhood that are dear to me: the way Osho was attracted (almost obsessed) by weird and so called "mad" people. The way he considered himself crazy. I too, felt so good considering myself crazy and free when I was a child.
However, we differ the way he used to talk so easily to adults, whereas it was a barrier to me. The way he dared to do anything is beautiful.
I like his idea that friendship is greater than love. It strikes me how heavenly a friendship can feel (as I used to experiment as a child), yet how difficult it is to make friend, especially as we grow older.
Osho said it's perfectly ok to have enemies, or you won't have friends. I perhaps fell into this trap to be pleasant to everyone, to be too naive.
Osho had as many friends as he had enemies, and he became an expert to spot a friend or an enemy at first sight with any new person he was being introduced to.
I like the way he dared to be himself in any circumstances, whereas most of us behave like "sheep". For example, he managed to expell his teacher on his first day of school. Everyone disliked this teacher for being a torturer, but he really used straight talk, almost threatening him, then he went to the right persons (supervisor, intendent, mayor...) and it really happened.
He was helped by influencial adults who recognized in this child fearlessness. His shocking behaviors can break weak people, but strong people would have a good laugh and become friends.
It's interesting to note that he gives credits to his grandmother and Shambhu Babu for spoiling him with such an intense attention. They were so demanding for his stories that he had to say anything. This gave him a talent for telling stories.
Attention may be the most precious thing you can give to a child.
I now completely understand why Naval said: "Osho isn't always rational, and he isn't always modest, but when he's on, he's on."
Osho definitely is provoking, judging people "stupid" within a few seconds, and at the same time he's so proud of himself. But he has an interesting barometer. Clear, without filters, that is actually more helpful to awaken someone rather than telling him whatever he wants to hear.
Just a random example, quoting Osho from the book: "The secretary was dumb, as secretaries always are, otherwise why should they be secretaries?"
I like the way he stayed uneducated for his first nine years, and said they were his best years, and certainly gave him the best education for his life to come.
We are constantly conforming, in a rat race, and here is the power of the unconventional path. As Osho said, he always loved to do all what others don't do.
PS: I know it shouldn't be so long, but I put all my favorite parts of the book here: https://www.yoricm.com/dl/read/osho_r...
I've always been kind, polite, considerate, and as a result our "business" got stuck for 4 years.
I am now laughing how crude I just behave to this man, just like Osho did so many times in his childhood.
This man's reaction is one of a child, and it's so funny, I couldn't even imagine it would work like this.
Yes, I just behaved rudely and crudely, as I never did before, but I kept things fair and right, so that he doesn't step on me.
Human relationships are curious, to some people you send positive vibes, love and compassion, and you get slaped all over your face. But when you slap this person yourself (metaphorically) he suddenly listen and considere you. Just like you go from his slave to his master.
I am thankful for this unconventional book, as it revived my pride and I got some precious insights about human psychology I didn't find in any other classic books.
I found some similarities with my own childhood that are dear to me: the way Osho was attracted (almost obsessed) by weird and so called "mad" people. The way he considered himself crazy. I too, felt so good considering myself crazy and free when I was a child.
However, we differ the way he used to talk so easily to adults, whereas it was a barrier to me. The way he dared to do anything is beautiful.
I like his idea that friendship is greater than love. It strikes me how heavenly a friendship can feel (as I used to experiment as a child), yet how difficult it is to make friend, especially as we grow older.
Osho said it's perfectly ok to have enemies, or you won't have friends. I perhaps fell into this trap to be pleasant to everyone, to be too naive.
Osho had as many friends as he had enemies, and he became an expert to spot a friend or an enemy at first sight with any new person he was being introduced to.
I like the way he dared to be himself in any circumstances, whereas most of us behave like "sheep". For example, he managed to expell his teacher on his first day of school. Everyone disliked this teacher for being a torturer, but he really used straight talk, almost threatening him, then he went to the right persons (supervisor, intendent, mayor...) and it really happened.
He was helped by influencial adults who recognized in this child fearlessness. His shocking behaviors can break weak people, but strong people would have a good laugh and become friends.
It's interesting to note that he gives credits to his grandmother and Shambhu Babu for spoiling him with such an intense attention. They were so demanding for his stories that he had to say anything. This gave him a talent for telling stories.
Attention may be the most precious thing you can give to a child.
I now completely understand why Naval said: "Osho isn't always rational, and he isn't always modest, but when he's on, he's on."
Osho definitely is provoking, judging people "stupid" within a few seconds, and at the same time he's so proud of himself. But he has an interesting barometer. Clear, without filters, that is actually more helpful to awaken someone rather than telling him whatever he wants to hear.
Just a random example, quoting Osho from the book: "The secretary was dumb, as secretaries always are, otherwise why should they be secretaries?"
I like the way he stayed uneducated for his first nine years, and said they were his best years, and certainly gave him the best education for his life to come.
We are constantly conforming, in a rat race, and here is the power of the unconventional path. As Osho said, he always loved to do all what others don't do.
PS: I know it shouldn't be so long, but I put all my favorite parts of the book here: https://www.yoricm.com/dl/read/osho_r...
August 8, 2025
زرتشت انتخاب نخواهد کرد. زرتشت آوازهای روز را میخواند و لذت میبرد و آوازهای شب را نیز خوانده و لذت میبرد. او در خورشیدی بامدادی خواهد رقصید. شب است: اینک تمامی چشمههای جوشان بلندتر سخن میگویند. و روح من نیز چشمهای جوشان است. زیرا همه چیز ساکت میشود: پرندگان به خواب رفتهاند، حیوانات به خواب رفتهاند، مردم به خواب رفتهاند بازار از بین رفته است. سکوتی عظیم بر زمین حاکم است، اینک حتی یک زمزمه نیز بلند به گوش میرسد.
August 2, 2007
This book is sort of autobiography of Osho. Consists of Osho's childhood days, how he was an individual since his childhood. sometime things are difficult to digest on how a seven year old kid can make a sadhu run away from village, and many other incidents
Best part i felt was his love with a tree in his university. good to read
Best part i felt was his love with a tree in his university. good to read
July 13, 2022
My fav quotes (not a review):
"The word ”arihanta” literally means ”one who has killed the enemy” – and the enemy is the ego."
"You will be surprised to know that the English word ”bungalow” is the name for a Bengali house. Each bungalow – that is Bengali house – has a pond in which you grow your own food. The whole place stinks of nothing but fish. When you want to respect anybody, you call him babu. But it simply means ”one who stinks” – ba means ”with” and bu means ”stink.” The word was created by the Britishers for the Bengalis."
“One thing more: by the time a man is thirty-five years old, he has reached his sexual climax. In fact, I am just saying that not to hurt the feelings of poor men. In fact, he has reached his sexual climax by the age of eighteen; after that he starts declining. Thirty-five may be said to be the beginning of the end. It is then that a man realizes he is finished. That is the time a man becomes spiritual, between thirty-five and forty. At this age all kinds of nonsensical things impress him. The real reason is that he is losing his potency. Because he is losing potency, he becomes concerned about the omni-potency of God."
"vipassana means ”looking back.”"
"The word ”arihanta” literally means ”one who has killed the enemy” – and the enemy is the ego."
"You will be surprised to know that the English word ”bungalow” is the name for a Bengali house. Each bungalow – that is Bengali house – has a pond in which you grow your own food. The whole place stinks of nothing but fish. When you want to respect anybody, you call him babu. But it simply means ”one who stinks” – ba means ”with” and bu means ”stink.” The word was created by the Britishers for the Bengalis."
“One thing more: by the time a man is thirty-five years old, he has reached his sexual climax. In fact, I am just saying that not to hurt the feelings of poor men. In fact, he has reached his sexual climax by the age of eighteen; after that he starts declining. Thirty-five may be said to be the beginning of the end. It is then that a man realizes he is finished. That is the time a man becomes spiritual, between thirty-five and forty. At this age all kinds of nonsensical things impress him. The real reason is that he is losing his potency. Because he is losing potency, he becomes concerned about the omni-potency of God."
"vipassana means ”looking back.”"
October 16, 2019
this book is love. i have read it twice.
January 17, 2022
My fav quotes (not a review):
"Gautam Buddha left his palace when he was twenty-nine years old. Jesus started his teachings when he was thirty years old; Zarathustra went into the mountains when he was thirty years old. There is something significant about the age of thirty, or nearabout, just as at the age of fourteen, one becomes sexually mature."
"The truly wise man is not serious; he is playful, because he understands that the whole of existence is playful. The truly wise man may appear to people somewhat crazy, foolish, because ordinary humanity has a fixed idea of the wise man – that he is serious, that he cannot be playful, that he cannot laugh, that he cannot dance."
"Once it was asked of Henry Ford: ”How did you go on becoming richer and richer and richer; what was the motivation?” He said, ”To tell you the truth, I wanted to see whether I can earn more than my wife can expend, and I have to accept that I am a failure.”
"You may be a great surgeon, you may be a great engineer, you may be a great scientist – still you will need a sense of humor, still you will need the art of love, still you will need the art of living, still you will need all these great values in your life."
"I teach only these things – love, life, laughter, and as a background for all these, meditation”
"Who will call it a virtue? If being compassionate was a common quality of human beings, compassion would disappear from the list of great virtues. In other words, virtues are of the individual, not of the common crowd. And secondly, it is useless. Zarathustra’s insight into things is so clear, so transparent, so uncompromising, that he has the courage even to say that virtues are useless. Because anything that is useful, is only a means to something else. The useful is always the means, never the end. Love cannot be a means to anything. The moment you make your love a means to something, it is no longer love. Love has to remain useless to keep its beauty, its joy, its
fragrance."
"Gautam Buddha left his palace when he was twenty-nine years old. Jesus started his teachings when he was thirty years old; Zarathustra went into the mountains when he was thirty years old. There is something significant about the age of thirty, or nearabout, just as at the age of fourteen, one becomes sexually mature."
"The truly wise man is not serious; he is playful, because he understands that the whole of existence is playful. The truly wise man may appear to people somewhat crazy, foolish, because ordinary humanity has a fixed idea of the wise man – that he is serious, that he cannot be playful, that he cannot laugh, that he cannot dance."
"Once it was asked of Henry Ford: ”How did you go on becoming richer and richer and richer; what was the motivation?” He said, ”To tell you the truth, I wanted to see whether I can earn more than my wife can expend, and I have to accept that I am a failure.”
"You may be a great surgeon, you may be a great engineer, you may be a great scientist – still you will need a sense of humor, still you will need the art of love, still you will need the art of living, still you will need all these great values in your life."
"I teach only these things – love, life, laughter, and as a background for all these, meditation”
"Who will call it a virtue? If being compassionate was a common quality of human beings, compassion would disappear from the list of great virtues. In other words, virtues are of the individual, not of the common crowd. And secondly, it is useless. Zarathustra’s insight into things is so clear, so transparent, so uncompromising, that he has the courage even to say that virtues are useless. Because anything that is useful, is only a means to something else. The useful is always the means, never the end. Love cannot be a means to anything. The moment you make your love a means to something, it is no longer love. Love has to remain useless to keep its beauty, its joy, its
fragrance."
October 2, 2022
ENGLISH REVIEW:
In these two volumes Osho comments on Nietzsche's ideas in his book "Thus Spake Zarathustra". They were the first Osho books I read and at that time they helped me to understand Nietzsche. However, today I understand that Osho expounded the philosopher's ideas in a way that made his own right, that is to say, he took what he wanted from them and spoke about them in a way that magnified his own argumentation of himself. On the other hand, I like the touches of humour and anecdotes in his books. It is an enjoyable work and I found it enjoyable, although it is not a good way to understand Nietzsche. Rather, it is the same old Osho philosophy in the voice of the German philosopher, whose ideas are a bit distorted.
REVIEW EN ESPAÑOL:
Osho realiza en estos dos volúmenes un comentario de las ideas de Nietzsche en su libro "Así habló Zaratustra". Fueron los primeros libros de Osho que leí y por aquel entonces me ayudaron a entender a Nietzsche. Sin embargo, hoy comprendo que Osho expuso las ideas de dicho filósofo de forma que diesen la razón a las suyas, es decir, tomó lo que quiso de ellas y habló sobre ellas de manera que engrandecían su propia argumentación de sí mismo. Por otro lado, me gustan los toques de humor y las anécdotas que contienen sus libros. Es una obra amena y que me resultó divertida, si bien no sirve para comprender a Nietzsche. Más bien es la misma filosofía de Osho de siempre puesta en la voz del filósofo alemán, cuyas ideas se ven un poco tergiversadas.
In these two volumes Osho comments on Nietzsche's ideas in his book "Thus Spake Zarathustra". They were the first Osho books I read and at that time they helped me to understand Nietzsche. However, today I understand that Osho expounded the philosopher's ideas in a way that made his own right, that is to say, he took what he wanted from them and spoke about them in a way that magnified his own argumentation of himself. On the other hand, I like the touches of humour and anecdotes in his books. It is an enjoyable work and I found it enjoyable, although it is not a good way to understand Nietzsche. Rather, it is the same old Osho philosophy in the voice of the German philosopher, whose ideas are a bit distorted.
REVIEW EN ESPAÑOL:
Osho realiza en estos dos volúmenes un comentario de las ideas de Nietzsche en su libro "Así habló Zaratustra". Fueron los primeros libros de Osho que leí y por aquel entonces me ayudaron a entender a Nietzsche. Sin embargo, hoy comprendo que Osho expuso las ideas de dicho filósofo de forma que diesen la razón a las suyas, es decir, tomó lo que quiso de ellas y habló sobre ellas de manera que engrandecían su propia argumentación de sí mismo. Por otro lado, me gustan los toques de humor y las anécdotas que contienen sus libros. Es una obra amena y que me resultó divertida, si bien no sirve para comprender a Nietzsche. Más bien es la misma filosofía de Osho de siempre puesta en la voz del filósofo alemán, cuyas ideas se ven un poco tergiversadas.
November 18, 2016
A delightful read. Without any beginning and end, jumping from one anecdote to another without any connection. Totally meaningless but yet so beautiful like life itself. I wish, I had come across this during my childhood days. Its unbelievable, someone could be so rebellious, so courageous and so fearless from the childhood itself. Will cherish reading this forever.
May 17, 2014
Read this book.
The whole human race needs to read this book and want to understand it.
I felt like I wrote this book.
It was (obviously-as everything always-in all ways-is)just what was needed.
Thank you, Osho.
(www.evolvingthread.com)
The whole human race needs to read this book and want to understand it.
I felt like I wrote this book.
It was (obviously-as everything always-in all ways-is)just what was needed.
Thank you, Osho.
(www.evolvingthread.com)
November 9, 2013
The uncommon childhood of an uncommon genius..you can enjoy it even if you are not an OSHO fan..
October 5, 2015
Everything was right for Osho in the beginning only. The imprints you get in your childhood have major impact on who you will be in the future.
September 13, 2016
This Book is just fabulous. I think everyone on a spiritual journey should get their hands to this book.
February 5, 2019
Lovely book, I wish there was a second part to this.
June 10, 2020
I would recommend reading Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic prior to this book. This book goes well with those who love Osho. The love must be there. A depth of his messages must first be absorbed.
Osho gets sidetracked a lot. He does it on purpose. The book does not have a linear flow but goes back and forth through different stories. I think the first 400 pages are the first two days of starting school with side tracked stories.
A good book to see how Osho is different from his childhood.
Osho gets sidetracked a lot. He does it on purpose. The book does not have a linear flow but goes back and forth through different stories. I think the first 400 pages are the first two days of starting school with side tracked stories.
A good book to see how Osho is different from his childhood.
December 16, 2022
One of the must-read-as-early-as-possible books for disciples, devotees, lovers, and friends of Osho. Another is: Autobiography of a spiritually incorrect mystic.
The others include: I am the Gate, My way - The way of the white clouds, Golden Future, Beyond Psychology (RB Vol11), Zen Manifesto, The goose is out, The Last Testament series (all 6 of them), The Rajneesh Bible series (all 12 of them), Showering without clouds, Philosophia perennis (both volumes), Sermons in stones, Books I have loved, and so on.
The others include: I am the Gate, My way - The way of the white clouds, Golden Future, Beyond Psychology (RB Vol11), Zen Manifesto, The goose is out, The Last Testament series (all 6 of them), The Rajneesh Bible series (all 12 of them), Showering without clouds, Philosophia perennis (both volumes), Sermons in stones, Books I have loved, and so on.
November 5, 2021
Osho has about 600 books to his name, still people don't understand the person behind the name. This is due to the controversies and his inconsistent behaviour. Yet this book provides an inside view of his mind and perhaps soul. Every child should read this once and discover the value of freedom and responsibility simultaneously.
December 23, 2020
Gives a clear view of Osho as a kid and his journey of life.
March 7, 2021
Everyone should read this biography of a rebellious man you will get art of fighting with world
June 6, 2021
though I have read Hindi translation, it is amazing.
May 5, 2023
Those who are in love with this man, they are definitely going to love this book.
March 13, 2021
A must read book for all REBELLIOUS SPIRITS. "The Rebel: the very essence of religion" -Osho
July 29, 2020
Realmente me gustó el libro, pero me di a la tarea de indagar sobre Osho, y me hace sentir algo decepcionada es decir el man se vende en el libro como una persona en el camino a la verdad, y es conocido como el gurú que tenía de 93 carros Rolis-Royces, mientras que sus seguidores no tenían ni casa osea me genera esa desilusión de que no lo siento coherente con lo que Leo....bueno respecto al libro me parece lindo el msj no lo niego y de hecho tiene datos interesantes habla de Hitler, de Buda, de Marco Polo y del emperador Wu, le da muy duro a las creencias e ideologías y creó que tiene razón es decir las religiones nos hacen de una forma dónde no hay empatía con otras religiones, el miedo es uno de los sentimientos que crea una religión, también habla de una fábula del Esopo, y del Vaticano ect
February 20, 2014
Mind blowing. Bold. Read to believe.
March 23, 2014
A rendezvous with two 'horrible' men, Nietzsche and Osho will make the whole world conspire to turn you into a REBEL
February 17, 2020
9.1/10
August 9, 2021
Pure charlatanism from the greatest spiritual con man.
December 30, 2022
Tamil Version...! 😊
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews